Herpetology keeper Heather Prince said: "Tallying up our new super-sized Asian forest turtles doesn't provide us with too much of a headache but trying to count the hundreds of stick insects or dozens of mantis is a bit more of a challenge.

Responsible for compiling the data, the zoo's record coordinator Liz Ball said: "Records at the zoo are regularly updated to allow for any births, deaths, departures and arrives.

"With every animal having a 'passport' detailing exactly who it is, where is was born and who is ancestors are, ensures the best possible management of a vital worldwide conservation-breeding programme.

"But it is all hands on deck as keepers help double check the data with a full head count which is a process zoos must go through by law in order to comply with the Zoo Licensing Act, 1981.

"With so many new animals coming in to take up residence in our new Islands development, we've got an even bigger challenge than usual.

"Dozens of new species have arrived well in advance of its opening in spring 2015 and they're breeding well.

"It means there are a heck of a lot of new heads to count, with the hundreds of weird and wonderful bugs being the trickiest.

"It's an incredibly exciting time for the zoo though and even though there's a lot of extra work, it's really nice to be able to add all of the wonderful new arrivals to the count.